Sanitary napkin holders and holder units



April 4, 1961 J. CLYNE 2,977,957

SANITARY NAPKIN HOLDERS AND HOLDER UNITS Filed Aug. 28, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.| v I '0 INVENTOR.

as I 40 L I Joseph Clyne 42 f" ATTORNEYS April 4, 1961 J. CLYNE 2,977,957

SANITARY NAPKIN HOLDERS AND HOLDER UNITS Filed Aug. 28, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FFIG. 8

W- INVENTOR. BY Joseph Clyne ATTORNEYS Unite States Patent SANITARY NAPKIN HOLDERS AND HOLDER UNITS Joseph Clyne, Bronx, N.Y., assignor to Napette Sanitary Napkin Holder, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation 7 of New York.

Filed Aug. 28, 1957, Ser. No. 680,705

18 Claims. (Cl. Rik-291) This invention relates to improvements in holder units for absorbent pads, such as surgical or other dressings or sanitary napkins when in use.

The present invention is designed'to avoid the difiiculties previously encountered in supporting and retaining such pads and'sanitarynapkins, and has as its primary object the provision of a napkin holder which is comfortable, one which the wearer can depend upon to protect her clothing, and one in which a sanitary napkin can be inserted and removed easily.

Another object of the invention is'to provide a unit for holding and supporting sanitary napkins and the like which avoids the use of pins and other fastenings and the inconveniences and discomforts resulting from their use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a complete unit for supporting and holding sanitary napkins and the like which the wearer may readily use either under or over corsets and girdles.

According to the invention, the improved unit constitutes an improvement in units for holding and supporting water-absorbent pads of the type of sanitary napkins and the like adapted to be supportedfrom the waist of the wearer and including an elongated crotch section comprising waterproof material for holding .an elongated water-absorbent pad. The invention relates to improvements in such units which include means located on the crotch section in the form of front and back pockets for retaining the absorbent pad, the pockets being located respectively at the end portions of and; cooperating with the crotch section to provide openings facing toward each other forreceiving and retaining the respective end' portions of the absorbent pad on the crotch section. The improvements according to the invention relate more particularly to having the facing edges of the pockets stretchable transversely of the crotch section and gathered so that they are under tension over the respective-end per tions of the absorbent pad when mounted in the crotch section. The stretchable facing edges of the pockets co} operate with gathered or elastic edges under tension provided along the sides of the crotcli section to retain, the absorbent pad. I 1

The improved absorbent pad holder and unitof the preseritinvention includes other features, objects, advantages andmodified forms of construction as described I nore in detail hereinafter inconnection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application In the drawings;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view from the back of a unit 7 forvholding and supporting anabsorbent pad or sanitary napkin, shown generally in the position of use, in which the crotch section is provided with a waterproof bottom at ac ed Q-f 'Q and k supp t ection Fatented Apr. 4, 1961 tions of the crotch section are provided with readily disengageable connections;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 showing a modified form of construction in which the front, back and crotch sections of the holder unit structure are in tegral;

Fig. 6is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 showing a similar construction in which the crotch section is, made entirely of sheet rubber;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5 in which the crotch section and pocket-forming strips of the holder unit are made of waterproof material and shown extended as in use;

Fig. 8 is a plan or pattern type view showing the, shapes of the sections of material used in making holder unit structures ofthe type shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 9 is a pattern type view similar to that shown in Fig; 8, showing a modified form of pattern for making holder 'units according to the invention;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view from the front of a unit similar to that shown'in Fig. 1, but with a modified form of front support; and

Fig. 11 is a front view showing the crotch sanitary napkin holdersection supported by a panty brief in place on the wearer.

The combination sanitary napkin holder and supporting structure, as illustrated completely in Fig. 1, includes a belt 10, preferably of elastic material adapted to extend around the waistof the wearer, a front section 12 and a back section 14 secu-redt'o the belt, as for example by stitching, as shown. The front andback sections 12 jacent the end portions of the section 16 and formed by transversely-extending sections 24 of waterproof material secured along their marginal edges by seams 26 to the respective edges of the crotch section 16. The remote edges of the pocket-forming sections 24 are secured respectively in the seams 18 and 20, so that the pockets are provided with openings facing each other toward the center of the crotch section 16. The pocket-forming sections 24 are also secured tothe material of the crotch section by transverse seams 28 located somewhat more than a sufficient distance apart to accommodate the full length of asanitary napkin 30, located in the'crotch section 16 with its end portions respectively extending into the pockets 22 intliemanner shown in Fig. 3.

,I ig. 2 is a plan ,view of the crotch section of the holder n t h w n F 193 an ar s e he aid pad removed and parts broken away;

His. is a v swta a a one he lime -3 out flat and extended as -in the position of-u se with the 7 ing moisture.

The sections 24, forming the upper portions of the pockets 22, are provided with curved edges 32 facing each other,as shown in Fig. 2,1i n order to provide an effective retaining means for the sanitary napkin, while at the same time leaving a relatively large upper surface area of the napkin exposed between these edges for absorb- As indicated in the drawings, the crotch section :16 hasits narrowest width approximately at its lengthwise center and from there the edges diverge gentle curves toward the attachment edges of the front and back sections 12' and 14. The crotch section is considerably wider at the back attachment seam 28 than at the "front attachment se'am 18. From'the seam 18 the sides of the front section 12 diverge gradually up to the belt 10 and the'front section is of considerable width, so-that the l aortas? .of the unit formed by the joinedsections 12, 16 and 14 are respectively gathered, particularly the edges of the crotch section 16, and secured by seams, as shown, to an elastic edging 34, which serves to extend the gatherings and conform these sections to the body of the wearer when in use. These seams form continuations in both directions of seams 26. The'edges 32 of the pocket-forming sections 24 are also gathered and stitched to similar elastic tape or edging'material 36 which extends in each instance to the respective edges of the crotch section 16. Instead of being stitched to the elastic edging 34, the edges of the sections 12, 14 and 16 may be provided with hems enclosing narrow plastic tape extending from the belt at the frontto the belt in back and under sufiicient tension to gather the hemmed edges. The edges 32 may have the same structure.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the front and back supporting sections 12 and 14 are preferably comprised of a soft flexible elastic fabric material, preferably stretchable in all directions, but at least longitudinally of the sections 12 and 14. The elastic material conforms to the contours of the'body of the wearer and permits the crotch section to be pulled down to change napkins without moving the belt down.

The sanitary napkin 30 is of a conventional type of absorbent pad having an elongated generally rectangular formation, although the end portions may be rounded. The pad is readily secured in the crotch section 16 by inserting its ends into the pockets 22, if necessary by stretching the elastic at the edges 32. When the pad is in place, the elastic at the edges 32 pulls the edges of the napkin so that it is retained in a trough-like structure I by the action of the elastic tape or edging-on the gathered edges of the crotch section;

All of the modifications shown in Figs. 4 to 10 preferably include the belt 10, the front and back supporting sections and crotch section having the advantageous shapes and functions described above in connection with Figs. 1 to 3, and in each instance, the back section is wider than the front section and provides a smooth straight transverse surface at the back of the wearer.

Fig. 4 shows a construction which is particularly use- A ful, for example, in maternity cases and hospital cases, since at least the front and crotch sections are provided with detachable fastenings, so that it is unnecessary to move a patient in order to change the absorbent pad. The construction shown in Fig. 4 is generally similar to that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and similar parts are indicated by the same reference numerals to which a prime has been added. The construction as shown includes a crotch section 37 of waterproof material provided at both its front and back ends with snap fastening members 38 adapted to be engaged by cooperating snap fastening members 40 carried by pieces of waterproof material 42 secured respectively to the front and back sections 12' and 14. In this construction the transversely-extending pocket-forming sections 24' do'not extend to the end sections 12' and 14, but the forward and rear edges of the sections24 are sewed respectively into the hems carrying the snap fastening members 38. The pocket-forming sections 24' have approximately the pattern shape of the corresponding sections of material shown in Fig. 8. The edges of the front, back and crotch sections of the unit shown in Fig. 4 are gathered and secured to elastic tape or edging material in the manner described above, the ends of the elastic tape for the crotch section being fixed in the hems carrying the fastening members 38. While the disengageable and removable napkin holder section 37 is preferably combined in a unit in the manner shown, it may be attached onto girdles, corsets or similar garments for holding sanitary napkins.

In the construction shown in Fig. 5 the front, back and crotch portions of the unit comprise a single piece of waterproof material 46 having the same contoured shape as that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8. The pocket-forming sections 24' are of waterproof fabric and have 'a structure the same as those shown in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 6 the crotch section comprises a piece of soft flexible sheet rubber 48, the marginal edges of which include pressed-in gatherings or accordion pleating 50 which function like the tape or edging 34. In this unit the pocket-forming sections of material 52 are shaped the same as those in Figs. 4, 5 and 8, made of soft sheet rubber and provided with accordion pleated or crimped gathered edges 54. The other edges of the pocketforming sections are preferably cemented to the crotch section. The front and back sections 12' and 14 are preferably of woven elastic material but may be of a tricot fabric.

Fig. 7 shows a construction including a front panel section 56, a back panel section 58 both made of soft woven elastic fabric 61, which is stretchable longitudinally, and a crotch section 60 of waterproof material provided with transversely-extending relatively wide pocket-forming bands 62 of substantially uniform width. The ends of the bands 62 are sewed to the respective edges of the crotch section 60, while the remote edges extend to the respective ends of the crotch section and are sewed therewith to the fabric of the panels 56 and 58 by transverse seams 64. The pocket-forming bands 62 are of the same material as the crotch section 60 and their inner edges 66, shown opening upwardly, are not stitched to the crotch section 60 except for a few stitches at their ends, as indicated.

The pocket sections 62 are spaced apart to a greater extent than those of the other units and cooperate with the crotch section 60 of the unit to provide pockets for receiving the end portions of relatively large and long sanitary napkins. The marginal edges of the unit are gathered on elastic tape as described or are gathered and sewed to elastic tape material 34', and the edges 66 are gathered and sewed to similar elastic tape material, as shown. Pocket-forming sections having the structure shown in Fig. 7 may be used in the units shown in Figs. 1to6,10andl1. I

The construction shown in Fig. 7, particularly the pocket structure and spacing, is adapted to provide a unit which cooperates with absorbent pads and sanitary napkins of relatively large size. The unit, therefore, provides a softbody-conforming construction in which protection is afforded for those who require or can use large sanitary napkins.

Fig. 8 shows the shape of the sections of material, in pattern form, used, for example, in making up the constructions or some of the sections shown in Figs. 1 to 7, 10 and 11. In this view the shapes of the sections 12, 14, 16 conform to those shown in Figs. 1 to 3, 6 and 7 while the pocket-forming sections 24' correspond more exactly to those shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, that is, as to size and positioning of their remote edges with respect to the crotch section.16. The pocket-forming sections 24 shown in Fig. 2 are merely relatively longer than those shown in Fig. 8. p

Fig. 9 shows a somewhat modified form of construction in pattern form, 1,,Inthis view the unit comprises a back fabric section 68, a front fabric section- 70, both of waterproof material, such as soft sheet p lastic,; and a crotch section backing 72 of similar waterproof material which is mounted under the-innerportions of the sections 68 and 7 0 with; one end sewed vto thesection 68 along the dotted line 74, while the other end is sewed to the section 70 along the dotted line 76. The marginal edges of the backing 72 are sewed to the respective edges of the sections .68 and 70, so that the inner-end portions 78 and 80 cooperate with the backing. 72 to provide pockets for receiving the respective ends of an absorbent pad. In this construction, therefore, the pocket-forming covers 78 and 80 are integrally combined in the fabric of the back and front sections, respectively. The edges of the unit are curved, as shown, and may be gathered and hemmed over lengths of elastic tape or stitched to elastic tape, as in the case of the constructions shown in Figs. 1 to 7 and 10, The covers 78 and 80 have V- shaped inner edges which facilitate insertion of the ends of the sanitary napkin. The sections 68 and 70 may be made of longitudinally-stretchable elastic fabric .or tricot fabric as in Fig. 7 or-all threesections may be made of these non waterproof materials where the unit is to i hold sanitary napkins having waterproof backings.

Fig. of the drawingsshows a construction similar to that of Fig. .1 but modified to the extent of including a different form of front support. In this view the sanitary napkin holder unit includes a belt 10', aback supporting section 14 and a crotch napkin holdersection 82 provided with front and rearpocket-forming sec- 'tions 84 holding a sanitary napkin 3t)" as shown. The

back section 14' is preferably made of elastic fabric but may be formed of tricot, such as a nylon tricot fabric. The holder section 82 and the pocket-forming sections 84 are preferably of waterproof material, and .the open edges of the pockets may have the structure shown in any of the other views but preferably the structure shown in Fig. 7.

The front support for the crotch section 82 comprises elastic bands 86 attached to the front corners of the crotch section 82 and extending in a diverging relationtionship up to the front portion of the elastic belt 10' where they are attached to the respective ends of a band of fabric material 88 extending around and secured to the belt 10'. At about the midpoint, the elastic bands 86 are connected by a non-elastic tape 90 to prevent' excessive spreading. The elastic bands 86 exert a'pull on the edges of the crotch section 82 and the elastic tape or edging thereof, so that they are caused to pull up along the side edges of the napkin and lit snugly to the wearers body thereby providing secure protection for the wearer. Furthermore, the elastic bands 86 permit the wearer to lowerYthe crotch sec'tion, without moving, the belt, for the purpose of replacingused sanitary napkins. t

Fig; 11 shows a napkin holder 92, constructed in acoordance with the invention,-which mayhave any of the forms. described hereabovefand, be made of waterproof material, supported at'front and, in back bya panty brief-structure94 haying anelasticfbelt 96. The upper front edgeof'the crotch section 92 is secured to the central front portion or the panty brief structure v94 .by' 'a searn'98. .The other end of. the crotch section isse;

cured-in a similar manner to the"back central portion off-the" panty brief. structure "94, The diverging'edges a 100 o'f-f'thepanty'brief, extending around the hips or i thighs of the we arer both in frontand-inbackinclude nclosed 'narrow" elastic tape in the hems iand insure a also ha s the elastic tape atits' edgesr 'erfect aform fit fori'thecurved edges of the crotch seca, I nder stoodj'thattthe edgesflof frong back o andcrotch sections are it gathered with. respcct tothe, elastic tape dredging: extending therealongwhen the latf t extending downwardly therefrom when the unit is being worn, a crotch panel of waterproof material the ends of which are respectively attached to the lower portions of the front and back panels, and spaced front and back pockets in the upper portion of the crotch panel with their open ends facing 'each other for receiving and retaining the respective end portions of an absorbent pad, the improvement comprising a strip of elastic material attached to each of the facing edges of said pockets with its ends attached tothe side edges of the unit and being under tension over the end portions of an absorbent pad when mounted in the crotch panel, a supporting strip of elastic material extending entirely along each side edge of the unit from the belt means at the front to the belt means at the back, said side strips of elastic material being attached respectively to said edges and being under tension and pulling the material of the crotch panel upwardly along the respective side edges of the absorbent pad and pulling the edges of the unit into intimate engagement with the body of the wearer when'the unit is being worn, whereby the exposed upper surface of the absorbent pad is completely surrounded with elastic strips under tension.

2. A unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the side edges of the unit are gathered with respect to the elastic edge strips therealong when such edge strips are in their unstretched condition,

3. ;A unit as claimed in claim I, in which the material forming each pocket is integral with one of the panels of the unit.

4. A unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the front and back panels are of longitudinally-stretchable material adapted to stretch sufilciently to permit the crotch panel to be pulled down with the belt means in place for inserting an absorbent pad without removing the unit from the body of the wearer.

5. A unit for holding and supporting water-absorbent pads of the type of sanitary napkins and the like including a belt means for the waist of the wearer, front and back panels of material attached to the belt means and extending downwardly therefrom when the unit is being worn, a crotch section of waterproof material the ends of which are respectively connected to the lower portions of the front and back panels, and spaced front and back pockets connected to the upper portion of the crotch section with their open ends facing each other for receiving and retaining the respective end portions of an absorbent pad, the improvement in which the respective side edges of-the unit from the belt at thefront to the belt at the back- 7 are gathered and elastically stretchable lengthwise, said gathered edges being under tension and pulling the material of the crotch section upwardly along the respective side edges ofthe absorbent pad and pulling the edges of the unit into, intimate engagement with the body of the wearer when the unit is being worn, and the facing edges of said .pocketsbeing gathered and stretchable transversely of the unit and being under tension over the end a portions. of an absorbent pad mounted'in the crotch sec- 'tion.I

6. In a unit for holding'and supporting water-absorbent pads, of the type of'sanitary -napkins and the like adapted t o" be s upported from the waist of the wearer, said unit including'an' elongated crotch section comprising water? proofmaterial 'for holdingan elongated water-absorbent pad, and spaced front andibackpockets connected to the a upper portion ofthegcrotch section'with their openlends facing'each other in spaced relation for receiving and retaining respective end portions of an elongated absorbent pad the improvement in which the respective side edges of the crotch section are gathered and elastically stretchable lengthwise, said gathered edges being under tension and pulling the material of the crotch section upwardly along the respective side edges of the absorbent pad and pulling said edges of the crotch section into intimate engagement with the body of the wearer when the unit is being worn, and the facing edges of said pockets being gathered and stretchable transversely of the crotch section and being under tension over the respective end portions of the absorbent pad when mounted in the crotch section.

7. A unit for holding and supporting water-absorbent pads of the type of sanitary napkins and the like as claimed in claim 6, including a strip of elastic material extending along and connected under tension to each of the facing edges of said pockets, said facing edges of the pockets being gathered with respect to the strip of elastic material extending therealong.

8. A unit for holding and supporting water-absorbent pads of the type of sanitary napkins and the like as claimed in claim 6, in which the spaced front and back pockets each comprise a section of material extending transversely of the crotch section with the marginal edges thereof secured to the respective side edges of the crotch section, elastic material under tension along the facing edges of said pockets pulling the edges of the crotch section inwardly around the side edges of the absorbent pad, thereby holding it in place and aiding in fitting the edges of the crotch section carrying the absorbent pad to the body of the wearer.

9. In a unit for holding and supporting water-absorbent pads of the type of sanitary napkins and the like in the form of a panty brief supported from the waist of the wearer, said panty brief including an elongated crotch s'ection, comprising waterproof material for holding an elongated water-absorbent pad, and spaced front and-back pockets connected to th upp'er portion of the crotch section with'their open ends 'facing each other in spaced relatiori for rece'iving and retaining respective end portions of an elongated absorbent pad, the improvement in which the'facing edges of said pockets are gathered and stretchable tra'ns'versely of the crotch section and are under ten- "sion over the respective end portions of the absorbent pad when mounted in the crotch section, and the respective "side edges of the crotch section being gathered and elastically stretchable lengthwise, said gathered edges of the crotch section being under tension and pulling the material of the crotch section upwardly along the respective side edges of the absorbent pad and into intimate engagement with the body of the wearer when the unit is being worn.

10. A unit for holding and supporting water-absorbent pads of the type of sanitary napkinsand the like as claimed in claim 8, including a strip of elastic material extending along andconnected under tension to each of the facing edges of said pockets, said facing edges of the pockets being gathered with respcct to the strip of elastic materialextending therealong. l

References Cited in the file of this patent v n V -UNITED STATES PATENTS I Boleman Dec. 4, 1888 1,110,674 Des Rosiers Sept. 15, 1914 2,011,027 Ballard et a1. Aug. 13, 1935 2,016,355 Alsop 'Oct.8, 1935 2,102,359 Frieman Dec. 14, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS f 358,765 Great Britain -1. oct. 15, 1931 1,027,556

France Feb. 18, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 2,977 957 Y April A 1961 Joseph Clyne It is hereby certified that error appears inthe above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent. should read as "corrected below Column 8 line 20, for the claim reference numeral "8" read 9 Signed and sealed this, 3rd day of October 1961..

(SEAL) Attest:

Attesting Officer USCOM M 50.

Commissioner of Patents 

